vocations week august 5 -- 12
August 2012 Page 13
www.thesoutherncross.org.au
Father George Nader was
described as a "gentleman"
by Monsignor Robert Aitken at
his golden jubilee Mass at St
John's Church, Plympton, last
month.
"At all times, but especially
when people's feelings and
deepest convictions are at
stake, there is no one more
courteous and kindly and
tolerant," Mgr Aitken said.
"Not only is he a good man,
he's a gentleman."
Mgr Aitken added that Fr Nader
was "full of good sense".
"He might have taken on the
business of preparing men
and women for heaven but his
own feet are fixed firmly on the
ground," he said.
"He's a shrewd observer of
what's happening in the world.
And with his no-nonsense,
down-to-earth attitude to
religion he has attracted many,
many people to God.
"For men and women in many
walks of life he has made
God real and approachable
and lovable. Ask any of the
hundreds of couples whose
marriage he has witnessed, ask
anyone who was a parishioner
in Goodwood, Mt Gambier,
Colonel Light Gardens, Glenelg,
Kangaroo Island or here at
Plympton when George was
living with them as either parish
priest or priest in residence."
Fr Nader was ordained on
June 30 1962 at the age of
27. From a family of nine, Fr
Nader was born in Australia
to Lebanese migrants who he
described as "good Catholics"
who went to Mass and were
a great example but "didn't
push it down our throats".
He attended the Dominican
school in Franklin Street and
then Christian Brothers College
where he developed an interest
in the priesthood but he didn't
decide to join the seminary until
he was 19.
He said he had always enjoyed
the pastoral part of the
priesthood, being in contact
with people and being there at
special moments and times of
celebration.
Known for his keen interest in
sport, Fr Nader drove trotters at
Weigel Oval and played football
when he was in Mount Gambier
and Kangaroo Island which he
said was a real "ice-breaker"
and helped him to become
more engaged with young
people in the community.
He said his vocation as a priest
was "a wonderful gift from
God" and enabled him to share
the lives of so many people in
so many different aspects of
their lives. He would certainly
encourage anyone thinking of a
religious vocation to pray about
it and seek advice from some
like Fr Dean Marin from the
Catholic Vocations Centre.
The 77-year-old priest still says
Mass each week for the sisters
at Cabra Convent and the
Marist brothers as well as filling
in on weekends and weekdays.
Despite trying to keep his 50th
anniversary low key, he said he
was moved by the "beautiful
Mass" at St John's Church,
Plympton parish. Relatives from
Sydney and Melbourne and
many of his past parishioners
attended the Mass which was
followed by a "magnificent"
celebration in the Plympton
parish hall.
NEXT MONTH: Monsignor
Robert Aitken and Fr Robin
Sutherland celebrate 60 years
in the priesthood.
Religious institutes can achieve
more by working together than
acting independently, says the
recently-elected president of
Catholic Religious Australia, Sister
Annette Cunliffe rsc.
Sr Cunliffe (pictured right) was
elected at the CRA's 36th national
assembly held in Adelaide in late
June.
The assembly was attended by
about 140 leaders of religious
institutes and lay partners who
explored the theme "Charism
Beyond Borders".
It was the first time lay partners had
taken part in the gathering.
Of her election as CRA President
by her peers, Sister Annette said:
"I see my new role as a great
honour and privilege. I see the role
of President as one of facilitating
collaboration of Religious to make a
difference in the Church and wider
society, to bring the world closer to
the way God dreams it could be --
a world of peace and transparent
justice."
"Together Religious can do even
more, than if each group acts
independently. "
Sister Annette, who previously
served as a Council member under
the leadership of Sr Anne Derwin
rsj, is joined on the national council
by: Sr Marion Gambin rsj as Vice
President and SA representative,
Fr Tony Banks osa as Treasurer
and NSW representative, Br Vince
Duggan cfc, Sr Grace Roclawska
csfn, and Fr Graeme Duro sss.
New members to the Council
are Sr Kath Tynan pbvm (Qld
representative), Sr Veronica Hoey
sgs (Vic representative), Sr Sally
Bradley rsm, Br Jeff Crow fms and
the Anglican representative Fr Keith
Dean-Jones ogs.
Sister Annette brings with her a
wealth of experience from various
teaching and leadership positions,
including co-chair of the National
Professional Standards Committee.
Since December 2008, she has
taken on the role of Congregational
Leader of the Sisters of Charity
Australia for the second time.
Sr Cunliffe said one exciting
initiative she was looking forward to
was a new justice network.
"This enables us to respond as
a group to significant issues in
Australia," she said.
"Recently we were able to issue a
joint Statement with the Australian
Catholic Bishops' Conference
calling for our nation to listen to the
wishes of our Aboriginal people,"
she said.
"My hope is that, with the Council,
I can listen to the needs and
challenges of our members and
so carry out the purposes of CRA
effectively for the sake of Jesus'
mission to bring justice and peace
to all nations."
Gentleman George New leader for CRA
SPORTSLOVER: Fr Nader has been closely involved with the racing fraternity through his own
interest in the 'sport of kings' and through the Racing Mass held annually around the time of the
Adelaide Cup. Here he is pictured prior to a blessing of the track at Morphettville Racecourse.
Contact Sr Helen Kelly
vocations@lcm.org.au
●
●H
Join us for a discernment weekend
5th Oct -7th Oct
St Mary's Towers Retreat House, Douglas Park, NSW, or
12th Oct - 14th Oct
The Cliffs Retreat House in Shoreham, Vic.
The retreat begins Fri 7:30 pm and finishes Sun 2:00pm
You will have time to pray, reflect and discover
more about yourself and God's call. It is designed
to discern life: Married, Single, Religious, Priest...
These retreats are also held regularly if you are unable to
make one of these dates.
To find out more please contact:
Fr Peter Hendriks msc on 0408 299 170;
discern@whatsalifefor.com or visit our website
www.whatsalifefor.com
By Jenny Brinkworth